Selective signaling system.



J. MUFELL. SELEOTIVB SIGNALING SYSTEM APPLICATION FILED APR.19, 1910. 1,076,303. Patented 0013.21, 1913.

2 BYRBT S-SHEET l.

J. MOFELL. SELEGTIVB SIGNALING SYSTEM.

APPLIOATIOH FILED APB. 19,' 1910. 1,076,303. Patented Oct. 21, 1913.

I 2 {BESTE-SHEET i.

Jonson MQFELI., or CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

SELECTIVE SIGNALIN G SYSTEM.

Speoication of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 21, 1913.

Application tiled April 1'9, 11910. Serial No. 556,403.

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, JUDsoN MCFELL, a citi-zen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Ilhnois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Selective Signaling Systems, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements .1n selective signaling systems and has for its general object to provide means whereby a selector device at any onel of a plurality of signal receiving stationsupon a line may selectively be caused to condition for operation the annunciator at such station by transmission over the line wire of groups of signal impulses constituting a plural-digit number-signal appropriate to said station.

A further object vof my invention 1s to provide a system and apparatus wherein the selector at each station embodies only. a single step-up device, responsive to the line condition, arranged and operating to ad-V vance in groups of steps inaccordance with the groups of impulses constituting number digits in the code signal transmitted, and arranged to condition its annunclator for operation only when such step-groups of the step-up part correspondl with the code nurnber appropriate to that station for which the selector is set. x

` Another object of my invention is to provide a system which will be simple, etl'ective, and cheap, and will enable intercommunication to be had between the various stations on the line, if desired.

Other and further objects oflmy invention will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein- Figure 1 is a front elevation of a selector device, shown schematically as connected as part of a signaling system; Fig. 2 is a rear elevation of some of the parts of the selector; Fig. 3 is a plan view of the selector; Fig. 4 is a detail.

In the drawings, 10-l0, indicate line wires, constituting a metallic/circuit, provided with a suitable source of current sulpply, 11, and having connected therewith tie selector apparatus of a plurality `of stations, as AA and the apparatus of station A, only, being indicated in detail.

At each sta-tion from which signals are to be sena-say, from the .stat-ion of a train despatcher,-there 'is provided a signal transmitter, 12, for opera-tion to effect the continuity. of the circuit to send. groups of signaling impulses, constituting digits of number signals, thereby to affect an electroresponsive device at each signal-receiving station, and to cause the operation. of the pgrimary step-up part ofthe selector devices.

y impulses, as the term is herein employed, I mean suchl impulsive changes of theI line condition as may be utilizedto actuate appropriate electro-responsive devices, such as electromagnets, and in the specific construction shown, such signaling impulses are caused by closing of a normally open line.

vFor the disclosure of one operative embodiment of my invention, I show apparatus adapted for an. open circuit despatchers system, but it will be understood that in its broader aspects my invent-ion is not limited' to such arrangement. ,'Ifhus, 14 indicates a normally open line-closing switch, preferably having associated therewith a nor mally-open grounding switch, I5, for one side, las 10, of the line. 16 is a signaling wheel, having notches, 17, cut in its pe` riphery, standing normally with a terminal are, 18,'opening the switch, 14?, so that by revolution of the wheel the signaling switch may close upon passage of such wheel notch therepast. In practice such signaling wheel or wheels would generall be motor-driven, baitA 5I hereinv indicate or simplicity the wheel as driven by a hand? crank, 19, stoppage in a predetermined proper position be-v ing effected by the spring 19', bearing against the notched disk, 20, on the crank shaft.

For enabling the transmitter to operate to transmit predetermined code signals, each consisting of a group of digits with each digit group followed by a closing of the ground switch, 15, I provide means upon the wheel, 16, whereby certain of the notches may be closed by clips adapted to cause the closure of the ground switch, 15. Schematically, I have shown, in Figs. 1 and 4, the wheel provided with movable clips, 21, each capable of being placed in any notch desired, and each arranged when in place to close the notch in the signaling wheel, and to provide a crest, 22, projecting beyond the wheel periphery for raising thesignaling switch, 14, upward so as to close the ground switch, 15, connected therewith, to ground'- one side of the battery 11, through wire 10. Also' I provide on the wheel', just in advance of the terminal are, 18, a permanenttooth, 18, for closing the grounding switch. Thus, as indicated in F ig. 1, the wheel has its clips, 21, so spaced that four notches are free, then one notch closed, by a clip, then six are free, another clip closes the succeed- `lng notch, and then three notches are free, followed by a clip closing the next notch, the remaining notches in the periphery of the circle being all free until tooth 18 is reached. This conditions the wheel to send the signal 463, followed by a series of arbitrary impulses which bring the totalgnumber of impulses up to somepredetermmed quantity, and then to close .the grounding switch, 15, just before the' wheel comes to rest.

At each signal-responsive station, the line has operatively associated therewith a current-responsive device, 25, such as an electromagnet, preferably bridged between line wires 10 and 10, so as normally to be denergized and to attract its amature 26, against the tension of spring 27 whenever it is energized. The armature, 26, is provided with a lever arm 26', bearing at its upper end a pawl, 28, riding over a pin, 29, projecting from the metal base plate of the selector apparatus, and pressed downward by a spring, 30, so that the nose of said pawl stands normally' out of engagement with, but upon advance movement may engage, a spring-returnable ratchet wheel, 31, whereof 31 is the spring constituting the primary step-up part of the selector, and provided with a suitable holding pawl, 33. This stepup part through the-action of thel impulseresponsive magnet, 25, is made to advance in step groups `in harmon with the impulse groups occasioned yby t e operation of the signal transmitter, 12, and, as hereafter described, it controls the annunciator and its.l

actuating mechanism, the ratchet wheel, 31, with its connected parts constituting a primary "ontrollin means by which is controlled the mova le element of a secondary controller, to be described.

In the installation of the system shown, the annunciator is an electric bell, 35, connected on one side by wire, 36, with wire, 10", of the main circuit, and at its other side 4connected with the stationary contact, 37, of a switch, the movable contact of which is part of a connection 37', extending to bindin post 38 and thence by wire 38 to line wlre 10. The switch closing arm 37 is connected with a ratchet wheel 39 mounted on a shaft 40 in a suitable bracket 41 carried by the base plate 24. v This ratchet may be given step-by-step movement toward closing position and is automatically springreturned to open posit-ion upon release from restraint. For moving the ratchet forward I'provide another pawl, 42, mounted upon an armature lever, 43, normally pressed into engagement with itsv ratchet by a suitable spring, 44', a holding pawl, 45', being suitably pivoted in the rame to retain the ratchet against s ring return by its spring 39 as it is move forward step by step by the active pawl, 42. The armature lever, 43, carries the armature, 44, of an electromagnet, 45', and said lever is normally retracted by a spring, 46. The magnet, 45, constitutes the actuating device of a secondary controller (comprising in the present instance, ratchet wheel, 39, and its connected parts) which may, by a plurality of successive steps or movements, condition the annunciator for operation.

To the end that the secondary controlling device shall lbe controlled by the primary cont-rolling devicf; and conditioned for operation only when the latter dwells in predetermined positions, I preferably arrange the coil of the magnet, 45, in a. circuit grounded at one side, as by wire 50, and having its other terminal connected, as by wire, 51, in multiple with a series of stationary contacts, 52, 53, and 54, carried by and insulated from the bracket, 55, for the shaft of ratchet, 31, said stationary contacts coperating with a contact point, 56, upon the ratchet wheel, 31, which has electrical connection through the framework, binding post, 38, and wire 38', with the side 10 of the line. Now, in eneral it will be seen that whenever the -ratc et 31 is so located that the contact point 56 stands beneath contact point 52,'connection is made from the side 10 of the line, by Wire 38, binding post 38, metallic frame, ratchet 31, point 56, stationary contact, 52, wire 51, electromagnet 45, and wire 50 to ground, so that, if the line 10, is grounded at the time this condition prevails in the selector apparatus, the mag net 45 will be energized by the grounded circuit including battery 11. Such grounding of the side 10 of the line will, however, occur only if the movable clip 21 of the signaling wheel corresponds in position with the setting of contact point, 52, that is to say, in the specic arrangement shown in Fig. 1, assuming the contact point 'i2 to stand four steps 1n advance of the initial position of contact, 56, the transmission of a group of ,four impulses constituting the first digit of a number signal will cause the advance of ratchet, 31, four steps to bring the point, 56,

into engagement with the' contact, 52, and then the closing of t-he grounding switch 15 by the operatlon of the clip, 21 will cause the grounding of the side 10 of the line and complete the circuit for the secondary magnet, 45, so causing said magnet to become energized and to attract its armature 44, and thereby advancing the secondary stepup device, 39, one step. Thus, it will be apparent that in order for the selector at any station to step up the secondary ratchet, 39,

.3 tarts, 52, 53, and 54, of said selector must be A set at intervals corresponding to the digits ot' the number. For general utility, l lind that a three digit number signal is advantageous, although obviously by addition or subtraction of stationary contact points for the primary step-up device and a corresponding setting of the contact, 37, with relation to the secondary step-up device, the apparatus might be made to operate upon maribel-'signals consisting, of any desired number of digits.

I prefer that the selector shall be mechanically self-reswring to initial condition at the termination of a signaling operation, and to this end, I preferably provide a mechanical construction such as I -will now describe. The holdi pawl, 33, for the ratchet 81 :is provide with an arm, 60, which when moved to the left (Fig. 2) raises the awl out of engagement with the ratchet, andp it is likewise provided with a latching arm, 6l, adapted to be en aged by a gravity latch, 62, suitably pivoteg in the frame and subject to movement to unlatching position bv a pin, 63, upon the ratchet 31. For disabling the holding pawl, 33, I provide a link, 65, pivoted to the armature lever, 43. of the secondary magnet, normally guided upon a pin, 66, secured to the frame, and provided with a hook, 67, normally riding below the extremity of the arm, 60. Upon the rear face of the ratchet Wheel, 3l, I provide a cani, 68, adapted to raise the link, 65. and afford support to the forward end thereof in such manner as to bring the hook 67 up to position to engage the arm 60 of the holding pawl, 33, the cam, 68, being so located ppon the wheel that its time of engagement with the link is suliisequent to the ronijriletion of thetransi'nission of any Signaling number which the system is adapted to encompass. That is to say, assuming for example that 666 be the highest number that the system takes care of, it should. require more than 18 im iifilses to bring the cam 68 imo operative relation to the link, 65.

For releasing the holding pawl, 45, of thi` secondary ratchet, I provide a trigger, 70, pivoially mounted on the rear face of thc. ratchet, 351, and pressed in one direction against the stop 71 by a light spring 72, so that during the advance movement of the ratchet, 31. said trigger may pass the extrcmity oi' the holding puwl, 45, and on its return movement may trip said pawl, 45, to ratchet-vrcieasing position.

VVi'henever the live pawl, 28. for ratchct 3l, stands retracted it. is out of engagement with its wheel, fil, and therefore exerts no hoidiiw influence, and no mechanism is required to take care of this part. A disablin lever, 75, is, however, preferably rovidedg for the live pawl, 42, of the secon ary ratchet, this lever bein f pivoted upon a pin, 76, projecting from tlie plate and having one end arranged to receive a cam, 77, projecting from the ratchet wheel 31, thereby to lift. the live pawl 42 of the secondary ratchet to disabled position at about the time when cam 68 coacts with link 65.

For conditioning the magnet 45 to receive an impulse to effect the releasing 0peration, I further provide upon the Wheel a cam, 80, arranged to contact with a spring, 81, connected with wire 51, just after the cam 68 coperates with the link 65, said cam 80 serving to connect the wire 5l and the binding post 88, to the spring 81, and the metallic parts of the selector. Further to insure ood electrical connection under these conditions, I provide a spring, 2, connected by clip 83 with the metallic parts ot the selector, arranged to contact with the s ring 81 when the latter is acted upon by tie cam member 80, so that connection ot' the wire 51 to the frame work and its binding post, 88, is made not only through the slidingcontact 80--81, but also between the spring contacts 81-82. Now, it will be apparent that in the sequence of operation, the releasing` devices work as follows: After all the impulses of the di rits have been received, the arbitrary impii-lses cause further advance of the ratchet, 3l. During this interval of arbitrary operation, cani 68 raises link to funtionally operative position, trigger, 70, passes the tail of holding pawl, 45, of theisccondary ratchet, and cam 77 moves thelever, 75,"to litt to disabled ysition the live pawl 42 oil the secondary ratchet. Subsequently, the cam 80 makes itsl connection with spring, 81, closing the selector end of the gr'4 iuded circuit for magnet 45. Now, when the `ground circuit of magnet l5 is completed by tbc passage of thc high pointI lb, of thc signaling whccl under the grounding switch. l5, grounding the line 10 through said switch l5, muguet 15 attracts its armature 14, pulling over the link 65, and throwing the holding pawl 33 for the primary ratchet to disabled position where it is locked by thc latch G2, so that the ratchet 3l muy start back under spring pressure to initial position. ln the course of this return movement, trigger 70 trips vthe holdingr pawl forAthc secondary ratchet enabling` itito return under its spring inluence to initial position, und linully thc pin 63 trips the hitch (32 und allows thc hohllngr piiwl 33 for the primary ratchet to rcturii to operativo position pist as the primary ratchet Jil comes to initial or tcrminal position.

ln brief resumo of the operation of thc. system, it will bc seen that every closure of the line circuit, energizing magnet 25, causes the active pawl, 2S. to advance the primary ratchet, 3l, one step. so that the ratchet Wheel of the primary controlling devices at, all stations will advance and dwell in response to the number digits of the signal sent over the line. At the completion of each number digit. one side of the line is grounded and at each station where, at such time, point 56 of the primary ratchet stands under a stationary contact, a`

ground circuit is completed through the secw ondary magnet 45 of that selector, so that the operation of the secondary controller is governed by the rotation of mechanism appurtenant to the primary controller. Each time the secondary magnet, energized it steps forward the secondary ratchet, 39, one step, it being necessary to step the secondary ratchet forward as many steps as there are digits in the number signal in order that the annunciator 35 shall have its circuit closed and be thereby conditioned for operation, so that as to each of its plurality of movements necessary to condition the .innunciator for operation said sectmdary controller is controlled by the condi-- tion of the primary controller'. Obviously, when a three digit number is transmitted, say the number 463, only those selectors having the first contact finger 59 four steps from the terminal position will have their Secondary magnets energized when the first clip 21 occasions the switch 15 to ground the line; only those selectors having the second contact 53 ten .steps remox ed from terminal position will correspoiidingly have their magnets l5 grounded on the second Closure ot' the circuit:'and only those selectors having the third contact f7-l thirteen steps removed from the terminal position will have their magnets Yl5 respond to the third closure ot the ground circuit: and the selector at station U33, being the one with contacts co:'responding willi zr, three of these points. will be the only one to have its secondary ratrhet advanced three steps, er sufficiently to close the am aviator circuit. After the ,'ignaling digits4 inve been transmitted, an arbitrary number ot succeeding impulses occur in the line, and during such period of arbitrary operation, first the cam 68 lifts th: link 65, causing hook 67, to engage the arm (30 of the holding pawl 33, trigger 7] passes holding pawl, 45, and cam, 77, actuates pivoted lever, 75, which lifts or disables the actuating pawl, L12, for the secondary ratchet; and then, cam 80 makes contact with spring 8l forcing the latter into contact with spring 82, so that when the high point 1S of the signaling` wheel occasions the closure of the ground switch just before the wheel comes to rest, a grounded circuit -is completed from ground through the switch 15, Wire l2, battery l1', wire l0, Wire 3S', the metallic frame of the selector, to cam 80, the spring Sl. wire 5l, magnet coil, 45, and wire 50, to ground, so that coil 45, receives a final impulsive energization and its armature is at tracted. Thus, lever, 43. pulls over the' link (i5, the hook, 67, ot which, acting through arm 60, releases the holding pavvl 33, so that the ratchet Wheel, 3l, starts back toward initial position. ln the course of the return traverse of the ratchet wheel, finger 70 trips 'holding pawl 45 of the secondary ratchet, permitting the latter to return to normal position, cams and 68 leave their cooperating parts, permitting restoration thereof to normal condition, and finally, pin U3, strikes latch 6 2, and releases the holding pawl of the primary ratchet Wheel, 3l, that all parts are restored to normal condition.

While I have herein described in some detail a particular embodiment of my invenn tion, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many changes in the details of Wiring, circuit arrangement, and mechanical construction, might be made Without departure from the spirit and sco )e of the invention and within the scope oi the appended claims. lVhat. 'I claim is:

l, ln a selective signaling system the com1 hination of a line; a source of current supply therefor; a transmitter for causing sig'- nal impulses in the line; a selector appa ratus. comprising a primary magnet responsive to signaling impulses in the line, ste-p up device actuated thereby, a secondary magnet having an armature` an annunciator, and means` operable by a plurality of move-- ments oi the secondary armature magnet to .initiate the, operation of the a nnnnciator; a.circuit. for said secondary magnet, non nially open at tuo points; switch means associated with the transmitter 'for closing one of said normallyY opened points following the transmission of predetermined groups or impluses; and switch means assoelated with the. primary step-up device for closing said circuit at the other point. when said step-up device is in predeterminedpositions.

2. l'n a system of the character descrmed, the combination of a selector, comprising a primary magnet, a step-up device arranged to be advanced st-ep-by-step in equal steps in response to impulses m the primary magnet, switching means associated with said step-up device and arranged to be closed a plurality ot times, as said stepnp device reaches a plurality of predetermined positions, a secondary electro-magnet, an an nunciator, and mans tor initiating the an nunciator operation in response to a phi` ity of energiz'ationsof the second aan;

Sii

fi Si@ magnet; a source of current. supply therefor; a transmitter therein; another circuit for the secondary magnet including the switches of the primary step-up device; and switch means associated with said transmitter to be closed 'a plurality of times after transmission of predetermined impulse groups from said transmitter, said switching means being likewise included in the secondary magnet circuit.

3. ln a system of the character described, the comliinatl'on'of a selector comprising a primary electro-responsive device, a step-up device advanced thereby,` a plurality of switching devices associated with said stepup device for Successive closure in a plurality ot' positions of the step-up device, a secondary electro-responsive device, a stepup mechanism actuated thereby, an annunciator operable in response to thefmovement of the said secondary step-up device through a plurality of steps; a transmitter having a switch operable to transmit .groups of impulses, and another switch operable for closure between said groups of impulses; a main circuit. including said primary electroresponsive device and the lirst said transmitter switch; and another circuit including the secondary electro-responsive device, the switch means of the primary step-up devic and the second said switch means of the transmitter.

4. ln a selective signaling system, the combination of a line, a transmitter adapted for manipulation to transmit impulse groups constituting a plural digit number signal, and a selective device comprising a primary step-up controller advancing step by step in response to the impulse groups, and provided with electric switches successively closable by advances commensurate with digits of the signal appropriate to said selector, a secondary controller comprising anl electromagnet. a circuit therefor controlled by each of said switches, and an annunciator responsive toa plurality of operations of said secondary controller, equal to the number of digits ot' such signal.

5. ln a selective signaling system, the combination of a line, an impulse transmitter` and a selective apparatus comprising a spriiig-returnable step-up device, electro-responsive actuating means therefor advancing said step-up device step by sfiip, switches closahle by .said step-up device; at predetermined points. an electro-responsive device connected with said several switches for control by each thereof. a secondary step-up device, controlled by said secondary electroresponsiw device. and means cooperating with said parts for restoring the parts to normal position upon actuation of the primary stcp-np device beyond the range ucccssary to operate the switches.

i. In a selective signaling system, the

combination of a line, and an impulse transmitter and a selective device comprisin a primary ratchet wheel, actuating and ho ding pawls therefor, a secondary step-updemeans connected with the primary step-up device for controlling the actuating means of the secondary step-up device, and mechanical means controlled by the rimary device for releasing the holding devices of the primary and secondary step-up devices.

7. In a selective signaling system, a line;

mitter adapted to transmit in the line imnumber-signal; a selector comprising a primary controlling device res onsive to line impulses and having a single step-.up part arranged to advance and dwell in harmony a 'secondary controlling device operable only when the primary step-up part is in redetermined critical positions respective y ndicative of successive digits of the appropriate station number, and an annunciator operable in response to a predetermined plurality of operations of the secondary controlling device.

8. In a selective signaling system, a line, a source of current supply therefor, a transmitter comprising a switch and a signal wheel, movable means for conditioning the wheel for the transmission of selective plural-digit number signals and at each responsive station a selector, comprising a primary step-up device responsive'to the impulses occasioned by the signaling wheel, a secondary controlling device, an annunciatoi res onsive to a plurality of the operations o the secondary responsive device, and means controlled by the primary step-up. device and the transmitter whereby the seeondary controlling device may perform said series of operations in responseto a predetermined number signal only.

9. In a selective signaling system, the combination of a line, a source of current supply therefor, a transmitter having a linecontrolling switch and a grounding switch adapted to operate the line sw'tch to transmit plural-digit number sign 7s, and to operate the ground switch in the intervals between digits, and a selector device comprising a primary part vmovable in response to the operations of the line switch, a secf/ ondary movable part provided with an actuating magnet arranged invthe ground circuit controlled both by the ground switch of the transmitter and by the' primary movable part and a working device responsive to u plurality of movements of the secondary movable part.

10. ln a selective signaling system, the combination of a line, a source of current supply therefor, a transmitter having a line vice, actuating and holding means therefor,

a source of current supply therefor, a trans pulse groups constituting a plural-digit 30 with the groupings of the signal impulses, g5

cbntrolling switch and a grounding switch and adapted to operate the line switch to transmit plural-digit number signals and to operate the ground switch in the intervals between digits; and a selector device comprising a primary magnet associated with the line, a step-up device actuated by said magnet, switch means controlled by said step-up device, a secondary magnet, a working part operatively responsive to a given unmber of operations of said secondary magnet, and ground circuit connections for said secondary magnet controlled by both the transmitter grounding switch and the switch-means associated with the Said se lector-stepupdevice- 11. In a selective signaling systemthe combination of a line circuit, second cir cuit, means of current supply for said circuits, an impulse transmitter having liuc controlling switch-means and second-circuit l switch-means, and adapted to operate the line-switch means, to transmit impulse groups and to close the second-circuit switch-means after each impulse group; a selector comprising a magnet responsive to the line impulses, a secondary magnet in the second circuit, a step-up device actuated by the line magnet, switch means controlled thereby controlling the second circuit for the secondary magnet, a working part responsive to a predetermined plurality of operation of the secondary'magnet, and means For restoring the parts to normal position controlled by the secondary magnet.

ln testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand in the presence of two witnesses.

JUDSON MCFELL.

In the presence of- MARY F. ALLEN, Vv'. LINN ALLEN. 

